Without volunteers the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival (YSR) would have never started, let alone gotten to its 56th year. It was a volunteer board that came together under the leadership of Rolf Hougen, the society’s first chair, to plan the events, organize the people and source the prizes from local businesses to make the first Rendezvous possible. Ever since then, our volunteer board of directors has worked year-round to make sure we can carry on this tradition. Even with the months of planning the board puts in, Rendezvous wouldn’t happen without the hundreds of people who show up to help out every February.

Volunteering at YSR is a fun and exciting way to get out and do more this winter and we hope you will join us this year. It’s a great way to experience the traditions of our annual winter festival from a new angle, and really appreciate the passion and planning that goes into every one of our events. Depending on your interests you could find yourself helping out on the main performance stage in the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, helping to judge beards and tattoos at the Strength and Style Competition, or even serving bar at our Masquerade Ball, or Drag Show! It’s not just about what you can do for YSR though; it’s also about what the society can do to thank you for your hard work and effort!

Throughout festival weekend, our volunteer lounge offers space for you to hang out and warm up, or help yourself to food and beverages, all free for our volunteers! Depending on when and where you volunteer, we also have some exclusive volunteer swag for you, including engraved water bottles, toques, buttons and a commemorative volunteer photo ID badge and lanyard. Finally, at the end of Rendezvous weekend, after the parade has come in, the Colour Wars have gone off and the grounds have closed, we host an exclusive volunteer appreciation party before we close out the KDCC. Featuring special entertainment, food, drinks, door prizes and more, it’s just another way to say thank you for coming out to make our community’s festival happen!

If you’re interested in joining YSR in this 56 year tradition, sign up in advance at YukonRendezvous.com, or visit our office on Baxter Street in the Yukon Inn Plaza. As always, you can also come by the volunteer lounge to sign up during the festival weekend. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved at Rendezvous 2020, where fun meets the North!

Volunteers essential to success of 2020 Arctic Winter Games

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